Bluetooth may be built in to newer Mac models, but there are still legions of older USB-equipped Macs (and PCs) whose users may be interested in using Bluetooth peripherals. Orange Micro Inc. is banking on that with the introduction of its Blue2 Bluetooth USB adapter. It’s a new Class II Bluetooth adapter, and it’s expected to ship next month.
Orange Micro’s Blue2 works the same as other USB-based Bluetooth adapters — plug it in to your Mac’s USB port and you’ll be able to “scan” your immediate vicinity for other Bluetooth devices and transfer files to them, either Apple’s iSync software and the utilities Apple includes with Jaguar.
Bluetooth is the low-speed Personal Area Networking (PAN) technology that lets Macs and PCs transfer data to cell phones, PDAs, printers, and other Bluetooth-equipped wireless devices, including each other, within about 30 feet. Because of its USB-like transfer speeds, Bluetooth is positioned as an alternative to messy USB peripheral cabling, rather than as an alternative to AirPort or AirPort Extreme. You can get more general information about Bluetooth from Apple’s Web site.
The Blue2 includes an extension cable. System requirements call for Mac OS X 10.2 or higher, and one available USB 1.1 or faster port. The Blue2 has a suggested retail price of US$39. Orange Micro anticipates delivering the Blue2 on July 7, 2003.